Expansion Joint Assembly

ABSTRACT

An expansion joint assembly for location in a gap defined between first and second structural members, such as sections of a road and/or bridge structure. Failure of the connection between the rail and reinforcing bars of a conventional joint is overcome by integrally forming these components as a single part. Problems relating to physical and/or chemical incompatibility between components of a conventional joint are surmounted by forming all these components from organic polymer resin based materials, which also bestows the inventive joint with improved resistance to potentially harmful environmental conditions. The joint of the present invention is formed by locating an assembly comprised of an elastomeric sealing member and at least one anchor member in a gap defined between two structural members and casting mortar into said gap. During casting the mortar, a part of the anchor member chemically bonds to the mortar, thereby providing a significantly stronger and more uniform connection than that in prior art joints employing steel rails and reinforcing bars. A layer of a skid resistant material comprising an organic polymer resin may be provided on an exposed upper surface of the anchor and/or cast mortar.

The present invention relates to an expansion joint assembly forlocation in a gap defined between first and second structural members,such as sections of a road, bridge structure, car park or a combinationthereof or parts of a building or buildings, and methods for formingsuch a joint.

Expansion joints are typically disposed between sections of a road or atthe end of a bridge structure where it joins the road and must satisfy anumber of requirements. For example, they must be suitably robust towithstand the loads generated by passing vehicles whilst beingsufficiently flexible to accommodate changes in the gap width betweensections resulting from environmental changes such as variations intemperature.

A particular type of joint defined by the Highways Agency StandardBD33/94 is the Highways Type 6 bridge expansion joint, which is commonlyreferred to as an ‘Elastomer in Rail-Resin Encapsulated’ (EMR-RE)expansion joint. Current EMR-RE joints are based on essentially the samedesign, which is more than 30 years old. An example of an EMR-RE jointis shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, there are four basic components to a conventionalEMR-RE joint 1: a pair of extruded steel rails 2; steel reinforcing bars3 bolted or welded to the rails 2; pitch or bitumen extended hot appliedepoxy resin based mortar 4, which is used to hold the reinforcing bars 3and thereby the rails 2 in place; and an elastomeric seal 5 disposedbetween the rails 2. Typically the rails 2 are laid down; one to eachside of an expansion gap 6, with the reinforcing bars 3 extending awayfrom the centre of the gap 6. Uncured mortar 4 is then poured intocavities defined between the outer surface 7 of each rail 2 and asurface 8 of the road or bridge sections 9 between which the joint 1 isto be formed. Once the mortar 4 has fully cured the elastomeric seal 5is interposed between the inner surfaces 10 of the rails 2 to completethe joint 1. An example of such an EMR-RE joint is described inGB-A-2060734.

Although EMR-RE joints of the kind described above are widely used inthe road/bridge construction industry, they suffer from a number ofproblems. For example, undesirable levels of stress can be inducedbetween components within the joint as a result of employing componentsmade from materials having different physical and chemical properties,such as differing thermal expansion coefficients. Moreover, a joint maylose its structural integrity due to failure of the welds or boltsconnecting the reinforcing bars to the rails. Furthermore, corrosion ofthe rails and/or reinforcing bars due to aging or exposure to water anddo-icing salts is known to be a significant factor in joint failure.Additionally, the exposed upper surface of the mortar 4 can be slipperyand produce a risk of vehicles skidding as they pass over the joint 1.The current solution to this problem is to cast a skid resistantaggregate into the upper surface of the mortar 4 whilst the mortar 4 iscuring. However, the bond between the skid resistant aggregate and themortar 4 is typically unsatisfactory and often leads to the loss of skidresistance at an early stage in the lifetime of the joint 1.

An object of the present invention is to obviate or mitigate theaforementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is providedan expansion joint assembly for location in a gap defined between firstand second structural members, the assembly comprising a sealing memberand at least one anchor member, said anchor member having a firstportion for connection to the sealing member and a second portion forconnection to one of said structural members, wherein said first andsecond portions of the anchor member are integrally formed.

By integrally forming the first and second portions of the anchormember, problems related to the failure of the welds or bolts connectingthe reinforcing bars to the rails of a conventional joint are overcome.

Preferably the anchor member is formed from a material comprising anorganic polymer resin. It is preferred that the resin is selected from agroup consisting of a polyester resin, a vinyl ester resin, apolyurethane resin, an acrylic resin and an epoxy resin.

The resin preferably contains chemical groups derived from anunsaturated organic monomer compound. The resin may contain moietiesselected from a group consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylicester and methacrylate ester (e.g. methylmethacrylate ester).

The material from which the anchor member is formed preferablyincorporates a suitable reinforcing material, e.g. a reinforcingmaterial selected from a group consisting of glass fibre, glass mat,steel, carbon fibre and polyparaphenyleneterephthalamide.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention one ofthe first portion of the anchor member and the sealing member defines aprojection configured for receipt in a complementary slot defined in theother member.

A layer of skid resistant material may be provided on an exposed uppersurface of the first portion of the anchor member. The skid resistantmaterial may comprise an organic polymer resin, which is preferablyselected from a group consisting of a polyester resin, a vinyl esterresin and an acrylic resin. The resin comprised in the skid resistantmaterial preferably contains chemical groups derived from an unsaturatedorganic monomer compound and more preferably contains moieties selectedfrom a group consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylic ester andmethacrylate ester (e.g. methylmethacrylate ester). It is preferred thatboth the skid resistant material and the material from which the anchormember is formed are organic polymer resins. More preferably both theskid resistant material and the material from which the anchor member isformed are the same organic polymer resin.

Preferably the second portion of the anchor member is adapted to beconnected to one of said structural members via mortar cast into the gapdefined between the structural members. The mortar is preferably anorganic polymer resin and is preferably selected from a group consistingof a polyester resin, a vinyl ester resin, a polyurethane resin, anacrylic resin and an epoxy resin.

The resin preferably contains chemical groups derived from anunsaturated organic monomer compound. The resin may contain moietiesselected from a group consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylicester and methacrylate ester (e.g. methylmethacrylate ester).

In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present inventionboth the material from which the anchor member is formed and the mortarare organic polymer resins. More preferably both the material from whichthe anchor member is formed and the mortar are the same organic polymerresin. Yet more preferably, when a layer of skid resistant material isprovided on an exposed upper surface of the first portion of the anchormember, the resins comprised in the anchor member, skid resistant layerand the mortar are organic polymer resins, preferably the same organicpolymer resins. Forming the anchor member from a similar material to themortar (and the skid resistant layer if present) overcomes problemsresulting from employing components made from materials having differentphysical and chemical properties, which might otherwise result in jointfailure due to undesirable levels of stress being induced betweencomponents within the joint.

A layer of skid resistant material may be provided on an exposed uppersurface of the mortar cast into the gap defined between the structuralmembers. The skid resistant material may comprise an organic polymerresin, which is preferably selected from a group consisting of apolyester resin, a vinyl ester resin and an acrylic resin. The resincomprised in the skid resistant material preferably contains chemicalgroups derived from an unsaturated organic monomer compound and morepreferably contains moieties selected from a group consisting ofstyrene, vinyl toluene, acrylic ester and methacrylate ester (e.g.methylmethacrylate ester).

It is preferred that both the resin comprised in the skid resistantmaterial and the mortar are organic polymer resins. More preferably boththe resin comprised in the skid resistant material and the mortar arethe same organic polymer resin.

It is preferred that a layer of skid resistant is material provided onboth the exposed upper surface of the mortar and the first portion ofthe anchor member. Preferably the layers of skid resistant materialprovided on the exposed upper surfaces of the mortar and the firstportion of the anchor member comprise the same organic polymer material.

It is preferred that the second portion of the anchor member defines alocking member configured to contact said mortar when said mortar iscast into said gap to lock said anchor member against said mortar. Thelocking member is ideally elongate and at least a section of it may betapered such that its thickness at a position proximal to the firstportion is less than that distal from the first portion. Moreover, asurface of the locking member that is adapted to be in contact with themortar when the mortar is cast into said gap may be provided withsurface texturing. Additionally, said locking member may define at leastone aperture for receipt of mortar when said mortar is cast into saidgap. The aperture may be in the form of an elongate slot.

The anchor members may be in the form of elongate rails for location inan elongate gap between the structural members.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the assembly comprises twoanchor members, one anchor member having a second portion for connectionto the first structural member and the other anchor member having asecond portion for connection to the second structural member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda method for forming an expansion joint between first and secondstructural members comprising locating an assembly according to thefirst aspect of the present invention in a gap defined between saidstructural members; said locating of the assembly comprising connectingthe first portion of the anchor member to the sealing member andconnecting the second portion of the anchor member to one of thestructural members.

Preferably the method comprises the step of casting a layer of a skidresistant material on an exposed upper surface of the first portion ofthe anchor member.

It is preferred that said connecting of the second portion of the anchormember to said one of the first and second members comprises castingmortar into said gap such that said mortar contacts the second portionof the anchor member and said one of the first and second members.Preferably a layer of a skid resistant material is cast on an exposedupper surface of the mortar cast into the gap defined between thestructural members.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod for forming an expansion joint between first and secondstructural members comprising locating an assembly comprised of asealing member and at least one anchor member having first and secondportions in a gap defined between said structural members; said locatingof the assembly comprising connecting the first portion of the anchormember to the sealing member, placing the anchor member into said gap,and casting mortar into said gap to connect the second portion of theanchor member to one of the structural members, wherein at least a partof at least the second portion of the anchor member chemically bonds tothe mortar.

In this way, the connection between the anchor member and the structuralmember via the mortar is significantly stronger and more uniform thanthat in prior art joints employing steel rails and reinforcing bars.

The anchor member is preferably formed from a material comprising anorganic polymer resin containing crosslinkable moieties. Preferably thecrosslinkable moieties are double bonds between adjacent carbon atoms ofthe polymer resin. The resin may be selected from a group consisting ofa polyester resin, a vinyl ester resin and an acrylic resin. The resinpreferably contains chemical groups derived from an unsaturated organicmonomer compound. The resin may contain moieties selected from a groupconsisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylic ester and methacrylateester (e.g. methylmethacrylate ester).

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention saidmaterial incorporates a suitable reinforcing material, e.g. areinforcing material selected from a group consisting of glass fibre,glass mat, steel, carbon fibre and polyparaphenyleneterephthalamide.

Preferably the mortar comprises an organic polymer resin containingterminal crosslinkable moieties and a crosslinking agent. The resin ispreferably selected from a group consisting of a polyester resin, avinyl ester resin and an acrylic resin. The resin preferably containschemical groups derived from an unsaturated organic monomer compound.The resin may contain moieties selected from a group consisting ofstyrene, vinyl toluene, acrylic ester and methacrylate ester (e.g.methylmethacrylate ester). In a preferred embodiment of the third aspectof the present invention both the material from which the anchor memberis formed and the mortar comprise organic polymer resins containingcrosslinkable moieties. More preferably both the material from which theanchor member is formed and the mortar comprise the same organic polymerresin containing crosslinkable moieties.

It is preferred that the crosslinking agent is an unsaturated organicmonomer compound. The crosslinking agent may be selected from a groupconsisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylic ester and methacrylateester (e.g. methylmethacrylate ester).

Furthermore, the terminal crosslinkable moieties are preferablymethacrylate ester moieties.

In a further preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention,during casting said mortar into said gap said crosslinking agent in themortar reacts with said crosslinkable moieties in the resin of theanchor member and said terminal crosslinkable moieties in the mortar toprovide chemical crosslinking between said part of the second portion ofthe anchor member and the mortar.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the presentinvention, the method comprises the additional step of casting a layerof a skid resistant material on an exposed upper surface of at least oneof the mortar cast into the gap defined between the structural membersand the first portion of the anchor member. It is preferred that thelayer of skid resistant material is cast on an exposed surface of boththe cast mortar and the first portion of the anchor member. The layer ofskid resistant material is preferably chemically bonded to said exposedupper surface of at least one of the mortar cast into the gap definedbetween the structural members and the first portion of the anchormember.

Preferably the skid resistant material comprises an organic polymerresin containing terminal crosslinkable moieties and a crosslinkingagent. The resin is preferably selected from a group consisting of apolyester resin, a vinyl ester resin and an acrylic resin. The resinpreferably contains chemical groups derived from an unsaturated organicmonomer compound. The resin may contain moieties selected from a groupconsisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylic ester and methacrylateester (e.g. methylmethacrylate ester). The terminal crosslinkablemoieties are preferably methacrylate ester moieties.

When the layer of skid resistant material is applied to the exposedupper surface of the mortar it is preferred that during casting saidlayer of skid resistant material the crosslinking agent in the skidresistant material and/or the crosslinking agent in the mortar reactswith the terminal crosslinkable moieties in the resin of the skidresistant material and the mortar to provide chemical crosslinkingbetween the layer of skid resistant material and the mortar. Moreover,when the layer of skid resistant material is applied to the exposedupper surface of the first portion of the anchor member it is preferredthat during casting said layer of skid resistant material thecrosslinking agent in the skid resistant material reacts with thecrosslinkable moieties in the resin of the anchor member and theterminal crosslinkable moieties in the resin of the skid resistantmaterial to provide chemical crosslinking between the layer of skidresistant material and the anchor member.

Preferably said first and second portions of the anchor member areintegrally formed.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an expansion jointassembly for location in a gap defined between first and secondstructural members, the assembly comprising a sealing member and atleast one anchor member, said anchor member having a first portion forconnection to the sealing member and a second portion for connection toone of said structural members, wherein a layer of skid resistantmaterial is provided on an exposed upper surface of the first portion ofthe anchor member.

This aspect of the present invention is based on the realisation thatthe exposed upper surface of the anchor member represents a skiddingrisk in addition to the risk presented by the exposed upper surface ofthe mortar. In addition to the benefit in overcoming the risk ofskidding, providing a layer of skid resistant material on the surface ofthe anchor member helps to protect the anchor member from wear and tearover the lifetime of the joint.

The second portion of the anchor member is preferably adapted to beconnected to one of said structural members via mortar cast into the gapdefined between the structural members. Additionally, a layer of a skidresistant material may be provided on an exposed upper surface of themortar cast into the gap defined between the structural members. Thislayer of skid resistant material should help protect the mortar fromgeneral wear and tear.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a method for forming anexpansion joint between first and second structural members comprisinglocating an assembly according to the fourth aspect of the presentinvention in a gap defined between said structural members; saidlocating of the assembly comprising connecting the first portion of theanchor member to the sealing member, connecting the second portion ofthe anchor member to one of the structural members and providing a layerof skid resistant material on an exposed upper surface of the firstportion of the anchor member.

Preferably the layer of skid resistant material is provided on saidexposed upper surface of the first portion of the anchor member bycasting.

It is preferred that said connecting of the second portion of the anchormember to said one of the first and second members comprises castingmortar into said gap such that said mortar contacts the second portionof the anchor member and said one of the first and second members.Preferably a layer of a skid resistant material is cast on an exposedupper surface of the mortar cast into the gap defined between thestructural members.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a method for forming anexpansion joint between first and second structural members comprisinglocating an assembly comprised of a sealing member and at least oneanchor member having first and second portions in a gap defined betweensaid structural members; said locating of the assembly comprisingconnecting the first portion of the anchor member to the sealing member,placing the anchor member into said gap, casting mortar into said gap toconnect at least the second portion of the anchor member to one of thestructural members and providing a layer of skid resistant material onan exposed upper surface of the mortar cast into said gap, whereinduring provision of said layer of skid resistant material, said layer ofskid resistant material chemically bonds to the mortar.

The layer of skid resistant material is preferably provided on saidexposed upper surface of the mortar by casting.

Having regard to the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the presentinvention, preferably the skid resistant material comprises an organicpolymer resin containing terminal crosslinkable moieties and acrosslinking agent as hereinbefore described in relation to the thirdaspect of the present invention. The mortar preferably comprises anorganic polymer resin containing terminal crosslinkable moieties and acrosslinking agent as hereinbefore described in relation to the thirdaspect of the present invention. It is preferred that the anchor memberis formed from a material comprising an organic polymer resin containingcrosslinkable moieties as hereinbefore described in relation to thethird aspect of the present invention.

In preferred embodiments of the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of thepresent invention the skid resistant material is chemically bonded tothe anchor member and, where applicable, the mortar (when a skidresistant layer is provided on the surface of the mortar). The chemicalbonding is preferably provided by the crosslinking agent in the skidresistant material and/or the crosslinking agent in the mortarchemically reacting with the various crosslinkable moieties in the skidresistant material, anchor member and, where applicable, the mortar in asimilar way to that described in relation to the third aspect of thepresent invention. By chemically bonding the layers of skid resistantmaterial to the anchor member and the mortar the skid resistant materialis more resistant to being stripped from the surface of the joint, whichis a common problem with conventional joints, and the skid resistantlayer, anchor and mortar form an effectively homogeneous mass.

In the fourth, fifth and sixth aspect of the present invention saidfirst and second portions of the anchor member are preferably integrallyformed.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectioned side view of a prior art EMR-RE joint;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an EMR-RE joint in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an anchor member forming part of theEMR-RE joint of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the anchor member of FIG. 3 connectedto a structural member such as a road; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the anchor member of FIG. 4 with alayer of a skid resistant material.

FIG. 2 shows an expansion joint assembly 11 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention which may be located in a gapdefined between a pair of neighbouring road sections (not shown) to forman EMR-RE expansion joint.

The assembly 11 comprises an elongate elastomeric seal 12 interposedbetween a pair of opposed rails 13 that serve to anchor the seal inplace. The seal 12 is of conventional design and possess a pair ofoutwardly extending lugs 14 for receipt in complementary grooves 15defined in an inner surface 16 of each rail 13, thereby forming adovetail connection. Each rail 13 is of a unitary structure and consistsof an inner portion 17 corresponding to the steel rail 2 of the priorart joint 1 shown in FIG. 1 and an integral outer portion 18 whichdefines an elongate wedge-shaped locking member 19. The taper of thewedge is such that the thickness of the locking member 19 increases inthe outwards direction. The inner and outer portions 17, 18 of the rail13 are integrally formed as a single cast from a pultruded vinyl esterresin composite incorporating glass fibre to provide reinforcement.

It will be understood by the skilled reader that whilst the rails areshown in the figures to have sharp edges, in practice they are likely tobe rounded to avoid the tendency of cracks to form in the resin at thoseedges and to avoid the entrapment of air in sharp internal angles.

Rectangular slotted apertures 20 are defined in each locking member 19to accommodate an amount of mortar (not shown) when mortar is castbetween the rail 13 and the adjacent road section to increase thestrength of the connection between the rail 13 and the road section viathe mortar. The apertures are elongate and extend in parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the rails.

FIG. 3 illustrates a single rail 13 and shows the inner and outerportions 17, 18, and the apertures 20 described above in relation toFIG. 2. FIG. 3 also shows surface texturing 21 which has been applied tothe locking member 19 to increase the surface area of the locking member19 available to contact mortar when mortar is cast between the rail 13and the adjacent road section. The texturing is an optional feature.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a single rail 13 is connected to an adjacentasphalt road section 21 laid on a concrete bridge deck 22. The rail 13is connected to the road section 21 via an appropriate amount of vinylester resin based mortar 23 which is provided in a space defined betweenthe rear and lower surfaces 24, 25 of the rail 13, the road section 21and the deck 22.

FIG. 5 shows the same arrangement as FIG. 4 but with a layer of skidresistant material 26 cast on to exposed upper surfaces 27, 28 of themortar 23 and the rail 13.

In order to form a joint between a pair of road sections 21 supported ona concrete bridge deck 22, two rails 13 are located in a gap between theroad sections 21. The rails 13 are arranged in a face-to-facerelationship as shown in FIG. 2 but without the seal 12 in place. Mortar23 is then cast into spaces defined between the rear and lower surfaces24, 25 of each rail 13 and the road section 21 and deck 22 to which thatrail 23 is to be connected. Whilst the mortar 23 is curing the layer ofskid resistant material 26 is cast on exposed upper surfaces 27, 28 ofthe mortar 23 and the rail 13. Finally, when the mortar 23 has cured,the seal 12 is interposed between the rails 13 and held in place byinsertion of the lugs 14 of the seal 12 into the complementary grooves15 defined in each rail 13. The wedge shape of the locking member 19,its textured surface and the slotted apertures 20 ensure that it formsan effective key with the mortar 23.

Each rail 13 is formed from a vinyl ester resin dissolved in styrene andprocessed into a composite which incorporates glass fibre reinforcement.The resin is not fully saturated (i.e. it contains one or morecarbon-carbon double bond) and thus contains crosslinkable moieties. Themortar 23 and the skid resistant material 26 comprise a vinyl esterresin dissolved in an excess of methylmethacrylate monomer to provide avinyl ester resin containing terminal methylmethacrylate groups andunreacted methylmethacrylate monomer as a crosslinking agent.

When the mortar 23 and the skid resistant material 26 are cast, themethylmethacrylate monomer reacts with the carbon-carbon double bonds inthe vinyl ester resin forming the rails 13 and the terminal methacrylategroups in the vinyl ester resin in the mortar 23 and skid resistantmaterial 26 to provide chemical crosslinking between the resin formingthe rails 13, the resin in the mortar 23 and the resin in the skidresistant material 26. In this way, the rails 13, mortar 23 and skidresistant material 26 in the finished joint form a composite mass ofessentially uniform chemical composition. The connection between therails 13, mortar 23 and skid resistant layer 26 is thereby significantlystronger and more uniform than that in prior art joints. It alsoprovides for greater longevity. Moreover, the present invention providesa joint possessing greatly improved physical and chemical compatibilitybetween the rails 13, mortar 23 and skid resistant layer 26.Furthermore, since the rails 13 are formed from an organic polymer resinthey offer much greater resistance to moisture and de-icing salt thanthe steel components used in conventional joints.

The design and construction of the expansion joint assembly alsoprovides for reduced installation times, reduced component weight andreduced environmental risk by the elimination of toxic materials.

While a specific embodiment of the present invention has been describedabove it will be evident to the skilled person that the assembly of thepresent invention may take any convenient size and/or shape to suit aparticular application. The inventive assembly may be used to form anexpansion joint assembly between any two structural members and is notlimited to use in road or bridge construction. For example, it isenvisaged that the assembly of the present invention may be used to forma joint between structural components using in the construction ofbuildings or other civil engineering structures. The first portion ofthe rail may take any suitable form to provide a connection with theseal and the second portion of the rail may have any desirableconfiguration, including any suitable form of surface texturing, as longas it facilitates a satisfactory connection between the rail, the mortarand the adjacent structural member.

Moreover, the anchor member whilst being described as a wedge shapedmember may take any suitable form that serves to interlock mechanicallywith the mortar. Furthermore, the organic polymer resins forming therail, mortar and skid resistant layer should be chosen such that theirphysical and chemical compatibility fall within acceptable limits. It isparticularly preferred that the rail, mortar and skid resistant layerare made from materials which incorporate chemical groups which canreact to provide chemical bonding between these components to strengthenthe connection between the rail, mortar and skid resistant layer, and inturn the neighbouring structural member.

1. An expansion joint assembly for location in a gap defined betweenfirst and second structural members, the assembly comprising a sealingmember and at least one anchor member, said anchor member having a firstportion for connection to the sealing member and a second portion forconnection to one of said first and second structural members, whereinsaid first and second portions of the anchor member are integrallyformed.
 2. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein theanchor member is formed from a material comprising an organic polymerresin.
 3. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 2, wherein theresin is selected from a group consisting of a polyester resin, a vinylester resin, a polyurethane resin, an acrylic resin and an epoxy resin.4. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 2, wherein the resincontains chemical groups derived from an unsaturated organic monomercompound.
 5. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 2, whereinthe resin contains moieties selected from a group consisting of styrene,vinyl toluene, acrylic ester and methacrylate ester.
 6. An expansionjoint assembly according to claim 2, wherein said material incorporatesa reinforcing material selected from a group consisting of glass fiber,glass mat, steel, carbon fiber, and polyparaphenyleneterephthalamide. 7.An expansion joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein one of thefirst portion of the anchor member and the sealing member defines aprojection configured for receipt in a complementary slot defined in theother member.
 8. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 1,wherein a layer of skid resistant material is provided on an exposedupper surface of the first portion of the anchor member.
 9. An expansionjoint assembly according to claim 8, wherein the skid resistant materialcomprises an organic polymer resin.
 10. An expansion joint assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein at least the second portion of the anchormember is connected to one of said structural members via mortar castinto the gap defined between the structural members.
 11. An expansionjoint assembly according to claim 10, wherein the mortar comprises anorganic polymer resin.
 12. An expansion joint assembly according toclaim 11, wherein the mortar resin is selected from a group consistingof a polyester resin, a vinyl ester resin, a polyurethane resin, anacrylic resin and an epoxy resin.
 13. An expansion joint assemblyaccording to claim 11, wherein the mortar resin contains chemical groupsderived from an unsaturated organic monomer compound.
 14. An expansionjoint assembly according to claim 11, wherein the mortar resin containsmoieties selected from a group consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene,acrylic ester and methacrylate ester.
 15. An expansion joint assemblyaccording to claim 10, wherein both the material from which the anchormember is formed and the mortar are organic polymer resins.
 16. Anexpansion joint assembly according to claim 15, wherein both thematerial from which the anchor member is formed and the mortar are thesame organic polymer resin.
 17. An expansion joint assembly according toclaim 10, wherein a layer of a skid resistant material is provided on anexposed upper surface of the mortar cast into the gap defined betweenthe structural members.
 18. An expansion joint assembly according toclaim 17, wherein the skid resistant material is an organic polymerresin.
 19. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 10, whereinthe second portion of the anchor member defines a locking memberconfigured to contact said mortar when said mortar is cast into said gapto lock said anchor member against said mortar.
 20. An expansion jointassembly according to claim 19, wherein the locking member is elongate.21. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 19, wherein at leasta section of said locking member is tapered.
 22. An expansion jointassembly according to claim 21, wherein the locking member is taperedsuch that its thickness at a position proximal to the first portion isless than that distal from the first portion.
 23. An expansion jointassembly according to claim 21, wherein a surface of the locking memberadapted to be in contact with the mortar when the mortar is cast intosaid gap is provided with surface texturing.
 24. An expansion jointassembly according to claim 19, wherein said locking member defines atleast one aperture for receipt of mortar when said mortar is cast intosaid gap.
 25. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe sealing member is elastomeric.
 26. An expansion joint assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the anchor member is a unitary structure.27. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the anchormember is an elongate rail.
 28. An expansion joint assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the assembly comprises two anchor members, one anchormember for connection to the first structural member and the otheranchor member for connection to the second structural member and thesealing member disposed between the anchor members.
 29. (canceled)
 30. Amethod for forming an expansion joint between first and secondstructural members comprising locating an assembly according to claim 1in a gap defined between said structural members; said locating of theassembly comprising connecting the first portion of the anchor member tothe sealing member and connecting the second portion of the anchormember to one of the structural members.
 31. A method according to claim30, wherein the method comprises the step of casting a layer of a skidresistant material on an exposed upper surface of the first portion ofthe anchor member.
 32. A method according to claim 31, wherein saidconnecting of the second portion of the anchor member to said one of thefirst and second members comprises casting mortar into said gap suchthat said mortar contacts the second portion of the anchor member andsaid one of the first and second members.
 33. A method according toclaim 30, wherein the method comprises the step of casting a layer of askid resistant material on an exposed upper surface of the mortar castinto the gap defined between the structural members.
 34. A method forforming an expansion joint between first and second structural memberscomprising locating an assembly comprised of a sealing member and atleast one anchor member having first and second portions in a gapdefined between said structural members; said locating of the assemblycomprising connecting the first portion of the anchor member to thesealing member, placing the anchor member into said gap, and castingmortar into said gap to connect at least the second portion of theanchor member to one of the structural members, wherein during saidcasting of the mortar into said gap at least a part of at least thesecond portion of the anchor member chemically bonds to the mortar. 35.A method according to claim 34, wherein the anchor member is formed froma material comprising an organic polymer resin containing crosslinkablemoieties.
 36. A method according to claim 35, wherein the crosslinkablemoieties are double bonds between adjacent carbon atoms of the polymerresin.
 37. A method according to claim 35, wherein the resin is selectedfrom a group consisting of a polyester resin, a vinyl ester resin and anacrylic resin.
 38. A method according to claim 35, wherein the resincontains chemical groups derived from an unsaturated organic monomercompound.
 39. A method according to claim 35 wherein the resin containsmoieties selected from a group consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene,acrylic ester and methacrylate ester.
 40. A method according to claim35, wherein said material incorporates a reinforcing material selectedfrom a group consisting of glass fiber, glass mat, steel, carbon fiberand polyparaphenyleneterephthalamide.
 41. A method according to claim35, wherein the mortar comprises an organic polymer resin containingterminal crosslinkable moieties and a crosslinking agent.
 42. A methodaccording to claim 41, wherein the resin is selected from a groupconsisting of a polyester resin, a vinyl ester resin and an acrylicresin.
 43. A method according to claim 41, wherein the resin containschemical groups derived from an unsaturated organic monomer compound.44. A method according to claim 41, wherein the resin contains moietiesselected from a group consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylicester and methacrylate ester.
 45. A method according to claim 41,wherein both the material from which the anchor member is formed and themortar comprise organic polymer resins containing crosslinkablemoieties.
 46. A method according to claim 41, wherein the material fromwhich the anchor member is formed and the mortar comprise the sameorganic polymer resin containing crosslinkable moieties.
 47. A methodaccording to claim 41, wherein the crosslinking agent is selected from agroup consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylic ester andmethacrylate ester.
 48. A method according to claim 41, wherein theterminal crosslinkable moieties are methacrylate ester moieties.
 49. Amethod according to claim 41, wherein during casting said mortar intosaid gap said crosslinking agent in the mortar reacts with saidcrosslinkable moieties in the resin of the anchor member and saidterminal crosslinkable moieties in the mortar to provide chemicalcrosslinking between said part of the second portion of the anchormember and the mortar.
 50. A method according to claim 34, wherein themethod comprises the additional step of casting a layer of a skidresistant material on an exposed upper surface of at least one of themortar cast into the gap defined between the structural members and thefirst portion of the anchor member.
 51. A method according to claim 50,wherein the layer of skid resistant material is chemically bonded tosaid exposed upper surface of at least one of the mortar cast into thegap defined between the structural members and the first portion of theanchor member.
 52. A method according to claim 50, wherein the skidresistant material comprises an organic polymer resin containingterminal crosslinkable moieties and a crosslinking agent.
 53. A methodaccording to any claim 34, wherein said first and second portions of theanchor member are integrally formed.
 54. An expansion joint assembly forlocation in a gap defined between first and second structural members,the assembly comprising a sealing member and at least one anchor member,said anchor member having a first portion for connection to the sealingmember and a second portion for connection to one of said structuralmembers, wherein a layer of skid resistant material is provided on anexposed upper surface of the first portion of the anchor member.
 55. Anexpansion joint assembly according to claim 54, wherein the anchormember is formed from a material comprising an organic polymer resincontaining crosslinkable moieties.
 56. An expansion joint assemblyaccording to claim 54, wherein the skid resistant material comprises anorganic polymer resin containing terminal crosslinkable moieties and acrosslinking agent.
 57. An expansion joint assembly according to claim54, wherein the skid resistant material is chemically bonded to theanchor member.
 58. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 54,wherein the second portion of the anchor member is adapted to beconnected to one of said structural members via mortar cast into the gapdefined between the structural members.
 59. An expansion joint assemblyaccording to claim 58, wherein the mortar comprises an organic polymerresin containing terminal crosslinkable moieties and a crosslinkingagent.
 60. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 58, wherein alayer of a skid resistant material is provided on an exposed uppersurface of the mortar cast into the gap defined between the structuralmembers.
 61. An expansion joint assembly according to claim 60, whereinthe skid resistant material comprises an organic polymer resincontaining terminal crosslinkable moieties and a crosslinking agent. 62.An expansion joint assembly according to claim 54, wherein said firstand second portions of the anchor member are integrally formed. 63.(canceled)
 64. A method for forming an expansion joint between first andsecond structural members comprising locating an assembly according toclaim 54 in a gap defined between said structural members; said locatingof the assembly comprising connecting the first portion of the anchormember to the sealing member, connecting the second portion of theanchor member to one of the structural members and providing a layer ofskid resistant material on an exposed upper surface of the first portionof the anchor member.
 65. A method according to claim 64, wherein duringprovision of said layer of skid resistant material said layer of skidresistant material chemically bonds to at least a part of the exposedupper surface of the first portion of the anchor member.
 66. A methodaccording to claim 64, wherein the layer of skid resistant material isprovided on said exposed upper surface of the first portion of theanchor member by casting.
 67. A method according to claim 64, whereinsaid connecting of the second portion of the anchor member to said oneof the first and second members comprises casting mortar into said gapsuch that said mortar contacts the second portion of the anchor memberand said one of the first and second members.
 68. A method according toclaim 67, wherein a layer of a skid resistant material is provided on anexposed upper surface of the mortar cast into the gap defined betweenthe structural members.
 69. A method according to claim 68, whereinduring provision of said layer of skid resistant material said layer ofskid resistant material chemically bonds to said mortar.
 70. A methodaccording to claim 68, wherein the layer of skid resistant material isprovided on said exposed upper surface of the mortar by casting.
 71. Amethod for forming an expansion joint between first and secondstructural members comprising locating an assembly comprised of asealing member and at least one anchor member having first and secondportions in a gap defined between said structural members; said locatingof the assembly comprising connecting the first portion of the anchormember to the sealing member, placing the anchor member into said gap,casting mortar into said gap to connect at least the second portion ofthe anchor member to one of the structural members and providing a layerof skid resistant material on an exposed upper surface of the mortarcast into said gap, wherein during provision of said layer of skidresistant material, said layer of skid resistant material chemicallybonds to the mortar.
 72. A method according to claim 71, wherein thelayer of skid resistant material is provided on said exposed uppersurface of the mortar by casting.
 73. A method according to claim 71,wherein the skid resistant material comprises an organic polymer resincontaining terminal crosslinkable moieties and a crosslinking agent. 74.An expansion joint assembly according to claim 71, wherein the mortarcomprises an organic polymer resin containing terminal crosslinkablemoieties and a crosslinking agent.
 75. A method according to claim 73,wherein said organic polymer resin is selected from a group consistingof a polyester resin, a vinyl ester resin and an acrylic resin.
 76. Amethod according to claim 75, wherein the resin contains chemical groupsderived from an unsaturated organic monomer compound.
 77. A methodaccording to claim 75, wherein the resin contains moieties selected froma group consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylic ester andmethacrylate ester.
 78. A method according to claim 73, wherein theterminal crosslinkable moieties are methacrylate ester moieties.
 79. Amethod according to claim 73, wherein the crosslinking agent is selectedfrom a group consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylic ester andmethacrylate ester.